Beliefs and Recommendations Regarding Child Custody and Visitation in Cases Involving Domestic Violence A Comparison of Professionals in Different Roles

Date

2016

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Violence against women

Abstract

Research is lacking on differing perspectives regarding custody cases involving domestic violence (DV). In a survey of judges, legal aid attorneys, private attorneys, DV program workers, and child custody evaluators (n = 1,187), judges, private attorneys, and evaluators were more likely to believe that mothers make false DV allegations and alienate their children. In response to a vignette, evaluators and private attorneys were most likely to recommend joint custody and least likely to recommend sole custody to the survivor. Legal aid attorneys and DV workers were similar on many variables. Gender, DV knowledge, and knowing victims explained many group differences.

Description

Keywords

child custody, professional differences, domestic violence, family violence, visitation

Citation

Saunders, D. G., Faller, K. C., & Tolman, R. M. (2016). Beliefs and Recommendations Regarding Child Custody and Visitation in Cases Involving Domestic Violence A Comparison of Professionals in Different Roles. Violence against women, 22(6), 722-744.

DOI